Stream Hieroglyphics’ Gargantuan Return LP, ‘The Kitchen’

Oakland underground legends unleash their first album in a decade

Oakland underground rap legends Hieroglyphics have returned with their first collective album in a decade, The Kitchen. With an assist from Sacramento DJ crew the Sleeprockers, the new set functions as a mixtape combining brand new material with various recordings from the crew’s last few years hustling behind the scenes. The continuous blend bumps, grooves, and jitters with soulful loops and acrobatic turntablism, naturally functioning as a perfect platform for the lithe rhymes of the group: Del the Funky Homosapien, Casual, Pep Love, Domino, and Souls of Mischief (Phesto, A-Plus, Opio, and Tajai).

The timing couldn’t be better, as 20th anniversaries abound. Del’s classic No Need for Alarm dropped in 1993, as did Souls’ enduring 93 ’til Infinity. Also, the Funky one’s beloved Deltron 3030 team-up with Dan the Automator and Kid Koala has officially rebooted with appearances scheduled from fans as far-ranging as Damon Albarn and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. But for the time being, nothing beats hearing all of these familiar voices in the same place. Stream The Kitchen in its entirety, and catch Hiero on the road via the extensive dates listed below. If you never knew, now’d be a good time to catch up.